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Joy (12A)

Joy (12A)

Comedy, Drama

Joy is the story of the title character, who rose to become founder and matriarch of a powerful family business dynasty.


The critical consensus

David O Russell’s movie about the hard-scrub single mum who became queen of QVC after inventing a self-wringing mop is a dreamlike curio whose flights of surreal fancy curb the director’s trademark zaniness.

***(*)(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 07/12/2015

Another dazzling Jennifer Lawrence performance anchors a blue-collar parable that boasts some inspired moments but never quite gels.

***(*)(*)Phil De Semlyen, Empire Online, 08/12/2015

Alongside the clowning, the film offers us a rousing story of a self-made woman who overcomes every setback in her bid to launch her own business.

****(*)Geoffrey MacNab, The Independent, 01/01/2016

Writer/ director David O Russell lays it on pretty thick with Joy's quirky, suffocating family but Lawrence creates the kind of plucky underdog you are only too happy to cheer and Joy is a feelgood way to start the year.

*****Allan Hunter, Daily Express, 02/01/2016

Not without glitches but an energetic study of one woman’s refusal to settle for anything less than her share of the American Dream.

****(*)James Graham, Total Film, 28/12/2015

The life story of miracle mop inventor Joy Mangano has plenty of style but doesn’t quite wash.

***(*)(*)Jonathan Romney, The Observer, 03/01/2016

Jennifer Lawrence gives it some gusto in David O Russell’s tonally uncertain dramedy.

***(*)(*)Nikki Baughan, The List, 07/28/2015

Lawrence saves the day and the film's seasonally appropriate ending ensures the title is justified in more ways than one.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 05/01/2016

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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